AUGUSTA —After more than two and a half decades at the helm of the Natural Resources Council of Maine Everett “Brownie” Carson will step down from his job as Executive Director later this year, a release from the state’s largest environmental advocacy group stated Thursday.

“My decision did not come easily, because I love this work and the people who are so much a part of it,” Carson said in a prepared statement. “But I have decided to spend more time outdoors, hiking the mountains, paddling rivers, cycling back roads, sailing the coast, and exploring the back country and parks of this beautiful state.”

Carson said he wanted to spend more time with his wife, older brothers, his two daughters and other family and friends prompted his decision.

“Widely considered one of Maine’s most well respected voices on environmental policy, Carson joined the NRCM staff as a lawyer in 1983, and was promoted to the position of executive director in 1984,” a release from the NRCM stated.

“Carson helped build the organization into the largest, most effective nonprofit advocacy organization working to protect Maine’s environment, wildlife, and people, and one of the most effective state-based environmental advocacy groups in the nation.”

Under his tenure, NRCM’s staff has more than tripled in size from 7 to 23 and its supporters now number more than 12,000 individuals, the release stated.

“The NRCM has focused on informing and bringing together Maine citizens to make their voices heard on environmental issues, ranging from threats to Maine’s North Woods to protection and restoration of Maine’s rivers, clean energy initiatives, and laws to remove toxics from consumer products,” the release stated.